The University of Glasgow plans to expand its main campus when it takes over the 14-acre Western Infirmary site after the hospital closes in 2015.

A large portion of the site area, bounded by Dumbarton Road, Church Street and University Avenue, has already been transferred from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to the university.

The university will take the remainder of the site when the Western Infirmary closes in 2015 and plans to develop state-of-the-art student facilities on the site.

The university originally transferred land to the former hospital authority for the construction of the Western Infirmary in 1878 on the condition the university would be given the opportunity to repurchase the site if it was no longer needed for healthcare.

Glasgow University said the development proposals will require extensive consultation internally and with the local community, Glasgow City Council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.

Professor Anton Muscatelli, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “This is as significant a development in the ongoing story of the University of Glasgow as the relocation to Gilmorehill from the city centre was in 1870.

“The acquisition of the Western Infirmary site will allow us a unique opportunity to provide modern, fit for purpose facilities that are in keeping with Glasgow's status as a world leading research-intensive university.

“As ever, the student experience is at the heart of all that we do, and the campus redevelopment will allow us to focus on what our students want and need, as well as providing an environment that is open and accessible to the wider community."

He added: “We are already committed to investing at least £80 million in new buildings and equipment and £55 million in refurbishing facilities over the next five years.

“Over the next 10 years, as we develop the Gilmorehill site, we anticipate investing more in our infrastructure than was spent in delivering the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and so create something very special for our university community and the city of Glasgow.”

Robert Calderwood, chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “The Western Infirmary is to close when the new South Glasgow Hospital opens in 2015 and we are delighted that a significant part of the site has already been sold back to the university for educational purposes and that we continue with talks that would see the second part of the site also transfer back to the university.”